Coronavirus - Africa: Millions out of school, jeopardising the future of children in W/Central Africa

Save the
Children fears for the future of millions of children, as more than 120,000,000
children and students are currently out of school in in West and Central
Africa. Almost all countries have introduced nation-wide school and university
closures so far to contain the Covid-19 virus - the number is expected to rise
as the virus looks set to spread further.

While the focus
of the COVID 19 response is mainly on health systems, the pandemic is already
having a devastating impact on children beyond that. In an attempt to maintain
the COVID 19 pandemic, governments are closing schools across the world. This
situation could further worsen the vulnerabilities of marginalized children
within West and Central Africa and especially in the Sahel, says Save the
Children.

“It is a hard
time with this sudden school closure. It's the worst holidays I've ever had
because we're in lockdown. We can't study and I’m worrying about the virus. I
don't know when the school will open. I don't know if we will finish school. I
don't know if the virus is going to make a tragedy in our country. I'm really
scared. I miss my classes, friends and school in a word. The more the days go
by, the more cases there are and at this speed, the school is not about to
open.” Awa*, 12, a student in Bamako, Mali.

With COVID-19
pushing governments to confine populations and close schools, Save the children
is concerned about the limited mechanisms in place to ensure children can
follow an education from their homes. With their education interrupted and not
being in a safe place such as a school, children are at a higher risk of abuse,
neglect, violence and exploitation, and they, especially girls are more likely
of dropping out of school completely.

While some
countries are better prepared to provide ‘learning at a distance’ for children
during school closures, the most marginalised girls and boys living in rural
areas or the suburb of the main cities will struggle to access distance
learning. This includes children from low-income households, those with
disabilities and children already affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.

National
education systems in, DRC, Burkina, Mali, Niger or Northern Nigeria already
face considerable challenges as a result of the on-going conflict and
displacement and a critical lack of funding. COVID-19 exacerbates these already
dire challenges.

“Education
needs to be integrated in the current response of the COVID-19 outbreak, as the
future of millions of children is at stake. The disease may disappear over
time, but children will continue to suffer the consequences for the rest of
their lives”, said Philippe Adapoe, Regional Director for Save the Children
West and Central Africa region.

“Managing the
health crisis and containing the virus must be a priority of course, but so is
ensuring that children can continue their education from home. So far, limited
opportunities have been put into place to ensure the continuity of education
for children at home. This is a challenge that governments will have to respond
to, with the help of the international community. If we relegate this
continuity of education to the background, many children, especially girls may
drop out of school all together. The Ebola outbreaks, even if it is a different
epidemic, should be a lesson for us” he concluded.

Save the
Children calls on governments and international community to ensure that:

Measures are in
place to mitigate the impact of school closing down. In Africa, where millions
don’t have access to internet, tools such as radio programs and TV programs can
help children access alternative education. It is vital that governments
support teachers and equip them with the skills to provide quality distance
learning.

Appropriate
care and specific support is available for children, along with distance
learning, as school closures will hit the most marginalized children hardest.

Needed measures
will be put in place to mitigate the risks for children with the impact of
school closures extends beyond disruption to education. Many rely on school
meals to support their daily nutrition. In addition, children who are out of
school are also at greater risk of being recruited into labour, abuse and
exploitation,

Pay particular
attention to the girls, who are more likely to will face a disproportionately
larger burden for caring for family members who contract the virus and taking
care of younger children and be at risk of negative family coping mechanisms
like child marriage. More governments need to put mechanisms in place to
protect vulnerable girls, following the recent decision of Sierra Leone Gvt to
lift the ban affecting pregnant girls from attending school.